Bucket List: 10 Small Town Marathons

Where: Tacoma, Washington
When: April 30, 2017
Approximate Number of Finishers: 600
Register: tacomacitymarathon.com

Why Run It: Nearly a third of this point-to-point course is along the city’s waterfront, including a one-mile stretch across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. After winding through neighborhoods in Tacoma’s North End, runners head to Point Defiance, a 760-acre park with views of Puget Sound, the peninsula, and some nearby islands. The rest of the race follows along Tacoma’s waterfront, where runners get spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, then along Commencement Bay before finishing at the Tacoma Art Museum.

Where: Eureka, California
When: May 7, 2017
Approximate Number of Finishers: 500
Register: theave.org

Why Run It: In the middle of California’s famous redwood forest, centuries-old trees line this out-and-back route along state Highway 254, more commonly known as “Avenue of the Giants.” The race was founded in 1972 to help some local elites qualify for the Olympic Trials. Since then, it’s maintained its small race charm, luring both locals and destination marathoners to the rolling, paved road in the middle of the woods.  

Where: Providence, Rhode Island
When: May 7, 2017
Approximate Number of Finishers: 1,200
Register: RunRI.us

Why Run It: Organizers of the Providence Rhode Races Marathon take 26.2 miles to showcase their capital city. The out-and-back course starts and finishes in Burnside Park, where runners cross the Memorial Boulevard bridge before mile one, briefly passing Brown University’s campus. The course then dips south into the adjacent city, East Providence, where spring greenery replaces city blocks until the turnaround point near the Rhode Island Country Club.  The way back to the city’s center puts runners on a bike path along the Providence River, with views of the skyline until the finish.

Where: Fargo, North Dakota
When: May 20, 2017
Approximate Number of Finishers: 2,000
Register: fargomarathon.com

Why Run It: The town known for snow, accents, and a Coen brothers movie can add “marathon” to its list of famous traits. The race starts and finishes inside the Fargodome, the 18,700-seat home of the North Dakota State Bison. The looped course is flat with plenty of local support, but after 26.2 miles the revelry is not finished. Runners are invited to the 27th Mile Pub Crawl, a beverage-fueled postrace tour of downtown. Make all 10 bar stops to receive an extra medal.    

Where: Duluth, Minnesota
When: June 17, 2017
Approximate Number of Finishers: 8,000
Register: grandmasmarathon.com 

Why Run It: As the story goes, Duluth, Minnesota, wanted to bring a marathon to town in 1977, but the race director needed a $600 sponsorship to make it happen. The new restaurant in town, Grandma’s Saloon and Grill, was the only business willing to give any money. It was a good investment. The original sponsorship is still good as the race approaches its 40th running next year, even after the race has grown from 150 runners to 8,000. The point-to-point course is flat and runs along Lake Superior, finishing in Canal Park—just outside of the eatery that gives the race its name. 

Where: Charlevoix, Michigan
When: June 24, 2017
Approximate Number of Finishers: 650
Register: charlevoixmarathon.com

Why Run It: Wedged between Lake Michigan and the much smaller Lake Charlevoix, this small Northern Michigan vacation town has dubbed itself “Charlevoix the Beautiful.” The annual marathon shows it off. A flat out-and-back course takes runners along the Great Lake’s shore before returning to the downtown bridge, where the race starts and finishes. Be sure to grab some postrace fudge, a delicacy ingrained so much in Northern Michigan culture that locals call tourists “fudgies.”

Where: Cordova, Alaska
When: July 15, 2017
Approximate Number of Finishers: 30
Register: copperriverwild.org

Why Run It: A staple in many runners’ diets, salmon is celebrated once a year in remote Cordova. The fishing village, only accessible by boat or plane, annually hosts the two-day Copper River WILD! Salmon Festival to honor the fish that drives a large portion of its economy. The King Salmon Marathon, held on the second day of the festival, follows a flat dirt and paved path along the stunning Copper River—host to a massive yearly salmon migration. In the shadow of glacier-packed mountains, runners will see blooming wild flowers and potentially a distant moose or bear.

Where: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
When: September 3, 2016
Approximate Number of Finishers: 300
Register: jacksonholemarathon.com

Why Run It: In the shadow of the Grand Teton peaks, runners navigate a flat point-to-point course from Jackson, Wyoming, to the base of the Jackson Hole ski resort. The start is on the town’s square, famous for arches made from real elk antlers. Runners then transition to a bike path, which follows Flat Creek. Spectator support is sparse, but race organizers say the scenery is motivating enough. After the race, you’ll find runners swapping stories over a pint at the Mangy Moose, a bar steps away from the finish line.

Where: East End, New York
When: October 1, 2016
Approximate Number of Finishers: 500
Register: hamptonsmarathon.com

Why Run It: The summer enclave for New York City dwellers turns into a fall enclave for runners each September. The relatively flat Hamptons Marathon zigzags through paved and dirt roads next to summer homes, protected forest, and sandy beaches on Long Island’s East End. The course starts and ends at a middle school in East Hampton before finishers head to the postrace party in nearby Amagansett at The Stephen’s Talkhouse—a world-famous bar that’s hosted concerts by Billy Joel, Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, and many more. 

Where: Bristol, New Hampshire
When: October 1, 2016
Approximate Number of Finishers: 300
Register: nhmarathon.com

Why Run It: The race starts and finishes in the quintessential New England town of Bristol. The small-town vibes begin the night before the race with a pasta dinner, catered by locals who bring crock-pots brimming with homemade sauce. Though a few spectators and dense forest provide a dose of New Hampshire cheer, the challenging looped course around Newfound Lake might not be as pleasant. Expect rolling hills throughout the entire race.